Flash-igniter.



A. 0. RUTZ, FLASH IGH'IR. APL'LIUA'LIOH FILED APB. 1, 1914.

BLB l@ Patend June 23,193@

t, @m0-@gow .ARNOLD O. RUTZ, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

FLASH-IGNITER.

merite.

Specification of Letters atent. Patented Jun@ 23, 1914,

Application l'ed April 1, 1914. Serial No. 828,676. i

To all whom it may concern v Be it known that I, ARNOLD O. ltnfrz, a citizen ofthe United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the countyof Milwaukee and a simple,A economical and eective flash igniter for a series of gas stove burners, the same being grouped about the igniter and within the ield of entrained jets of-"ame, which jets are emitted from the igniter under control of the operator.

Specific objects of my invention are to provide an igniter whereinthe constantly burning pilot-light and torch are combined in a single apertured tip, the same having a common gas' supply that is increased intermittently to eect a lighting operation through a valvecontrolled main lead having a by-pass for supplying the pilot; to provide a pressed steel removable hood for incasing the torchhead that is arranged concentric with said torch-head, whereby overheating at any particular point is obviated and the consequent generation of foul gases avoided; to provide a two-part torch-head having a hood-supporting lspider clamped therein,

theV spider being apertured for the supply of air and also for interlocking engagement with tongues that form part of the hood; to provide a tip for the torch-head having a semi-circular head provided with obliquely and radially disposed gas discharge apertures, the crown of the tip permitting said apertures to be grouped within a small circumference, whereby restricted jets of gas lowing therefrom are caused to commingle in a single pilot-light;` to provide :tiring ports in the hood disposed above the hori zontal plane of the pilot-light, whereby said pilot-light is protected aga-inst cross-currentsof air, and to provide a universal bar in connection with the controlling valve of the torch, whichbar carries a series of tappets corresponding to the series of burner valves, whereby when any one of the valves are opened the torch valve is simultaneously actuated to supply the desired quantity of Igas for effecting a lighting operation of the burners.

With the above and other objects in View theinvention consists in certain peculiarities of construction and combination of parts as oren.

hereinafter set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings and subsequently claimed.

In the drawings Figure l represents a seotional elevation of a torch embodying the features of my invention, the same being shown in connection with fragments of a gas stove to illustrate its application relative to a burner and the header pipe therefor; Fig. Q, a fragmentary plan view of the same with parts broken away and in section to more clearly illustrate structural features, and Fig. 3, a detailed cross-section, as indicated by line 3-3 in Fig. 1, showing the hood and spider connect-ion.

Referring by characters to the drawings,

invention. A longitudinally disposed feed-v p-ipe is connected to the gas header l for supplying gas to the igniter, through the medium of a valve 3 of the spring-controlled push-button type, the same being provided with a free by-pass 3 thereabout to supply i a constant restricted flow of gas to the torchhead for a pilot-light. The outer end of the feed-pipe l is bent upwardly in a gentle curve, terminating in an eXteriorly threaded nozzle 4c. A nut 5 is run down upon the threaded nozzle to form a seating collar for a pressedstcel spider 6 of the disk type, which spider has a doiwnturned annular flange 6 and a series of vent apertures 7 out out of its aceabout avcentral aperture through which the nozzle projects. The spider is securely bound to its seat upon the nut 5 bya similar nut 5. The annular flange 6 of the spider'is cut away at four points and the freed metal is bent outwardly 'has a reduced semi-circular head 9 and its hollow' cavity 10 is semi-circularly shaped to correspond to the head forming a thin shell. In order to present an uninterrupted surface throughout the length of the feed pipe and nozzle* thecavity of the tip 9 at its mout-his beveled outwardly to a feather edge to' present an uninterrupted smooth surface at the point of its union with the walls of the nozzle. 'lhus any tendency of the flow of gas to break or spread in its travel through the two part torch-head is eliminated, the said torch-head comprising the nozzle and tip respectively.

A cylindrical hood 8 is removably tted over the downturned vspider flange 6', the same being preferably formed from a single thin sheet-metal blanlr having a crowned or circular dome. The bottom edge of the cy lindrical hood is provided with keying recesses 11 for engagement with the spider lugs 6 and also a series of radially arranged iring ports 8', which ports aredisposed at a predetermined distance from the crowned dome. These firing ports are upon a horizontal plane slightly above the head of the torch-tip when the parts are assembled; The semi-circular head 9 of the'tip is provided with a series of vobliquely and radially disposed gas-supply ducts 1Q, which ducts correspond in number to the firing ports and are radially alined therewith, but, as previously stated, are upon a lower plane and, owing to the u ward inclination, an

i imaginary line exten ing in the same direction as the bore, will pass through a companion firing port to thus intersect a related gas-stove burner. The relative arrangement between the iiring ports and ducts willthus bring the series of stove burnerswithin the field of the several igniting .jets of flame, although the said burners are upon a higher plane. The resulting higher plane of the stove burners, relative to the firing ports of the hood, is due to the fact that the space between the grated top of a standard type of stove andthe pan thereunder is limited.

Owing to this restriction and the desirability to I reep the torch below the face of the stove, 1t 1s necessary to reduce the height of the torch mechanism to a compact vertical body.

VIt is also essential to perfect combustion that the torch head tip 9', which'burns a constant pilot-,dama should be spaced at a distance equal in all directions from 'the walls and dome ofthe hood to prevent generation of foul gases through the heating of said hood. All of these features are provided for and result from the foregoing described arrangement and assemblage, it being borne in mind that the base of the torch-flame is below the line of cross currents of air and is also centrally of the hood with respect to its side walls and circular dome, and, furthermore, owing to the fact that the singlerestricted pilot flame is supplied by gas incinte through the series of ducts 12, which' are grouped closely about the crown of the circular tip, gas traveling from the several ducts, in restricted quantities, will com. mingle at the top of the tip and feed the constant pilot-dame from several distinct streams,` which streams will be dicult to -sund out simultaneously as at least one of the same is at all timesY protected from inadvertent drafts. rlllhusin a contracted height a torch is produced having all the necessary qualifications with ample dome space above the torch-head, while at the same time the pilot-light is thoroughly protected and, when increased, ina lighting operation, the several flames, yalthough below the vertical plane of the stove burners, will be directed obliquely thereto.

Particular attention is called to the fact that by arranging the torch Vto, discharge oblique flames rather than horizontal flames, said llames will have a greater range andtraverse the distance between the torch-head and burners to insure their ignition. Should the flames be upon a horizontal plane it is obvious that their tendency to rise as they are discharged, will'materially shorten the eifective range, this tendency to shorten being also the result of vertical cross-currents of air.

In order to insure more perfect combustion l provide the hood dome with a series of auxiliary vents 13 that encircle said dome above the ring ports and hence air to supply oxygen to the llame will be more readily drawn up through the bottom of the hood and caused to pass in-vertical stratas about the pilot-light and from thence through the firing portsand vents to eii'ectually check cross currents of air'while the small pilotlight is burning.

It will be understood that the flash torch is effectually utilized in connection with manufactured gas, but is particularly eilicient in connectlon with natural gas at high pressure, in either instance the flow of the samfe being regulated by restricting or increasing the by-pass through a set-screw 14, as shown. A

It is apparent from the foregoing description that when it is desired to light any one or all stove burners grouped about the torch, the button-head 3 of the valve-stem 3 being depressed, will 'establish direct communication between the header pipe 1 and feed pipe 1 and the full volume of gasunder pressure will instantly be discharged through the -tipducts 12, emitting` independent flashes of flame through'the ring ports that will envelop all burners and ignite that burner which has been previously supplied with gas from the header-pipe by turning its particular cock.

in lighting the burner, l providea funiverlumaca sa] bar for controlling the :pilot-light,

engaging ,the feedipe .valve-stein. .providea ,metallic cli-p 1,A aving a spannerend -16 able features are overcome.

which is adapted to engage a groove in the push-buttonhead 3. The universal bar also carries a series .of tappet ngers 17, which v4tappet finorers are positioned adjacent to corresponding burner cocks and arranged to be engaged by .thenger of .the operator as the burner valve is opened,

such .engagement causing the universal rodv to -move end-Wise, wherebythe torch 'valve is also opened to permit a .ffu'l'l head of gas to be supplied to the pilot-light. Thus the pilot-light and torch-head are combined in a single tip which is controlled by increasing or diminishing the `supply lof gas thereto.-

` @wing to the fact that the ,pilot-light is centrally disposed with relation to the hood and spaced equal distances .from its walls, as ,previously stated, there is Aslight chance for the accumulation of soot or carbon therein, but, lunder all conditions, it is desirable to clean the hood from time to time.

-Hence, owing to the fact that said hood is within the recesses ll, will cause proper' registration.

I ani aware that flash tore-hes of various types have been employed heretofore, Sonie of which have utilized a separate pilotlight in connection with leads from the torch-head, which construction, when assembled within a. protecting hood or bell, necessarily throws the cause the hood to rise in temperature unevenly, resulting in the ac cumulationof sooty depositsand, by combining the pilot and torch in a single tip centrally disposed with relation to the hood, these objection- Other .forms of igniters have utilized a series of radial vents for feeding a corresponding separate series ofv pilot flames, which construction materially increases the supply of gas consumed, due to the fact that sufficient gas must at all times be fed to' each vent to form a flame having s. subl said tip apertures. pilot-'light to one' side, whereby heat radiating therefrom will stantial volume. Each .of these. pilot lights anefalso thrown rtoone side of the hood .with the saine V results as that stated .with reference to a .single ipilot light .toene `side `of a protecting hood or Ibell.

l rclaim:

f1. A lash-igniter comprising a torchhead having a .crown tip provided with ra-I dial ducts grouped ,to form a single pilotlight, a feedpipe for the .torch-head, .a valve therefor .having .a by-pass for supplying a constant flow of gas to said torch-head Vto form 4a Epilot-light, and a Vcylindrical dome provided with firing ports in radial alinenient with the 1tip apertures but upon a slightly higher plane than said tip apertures.

2.A A y-Iiash igniter compr-isili vva torchhead havinga semi-circular hea ed tip provided with a series of radially disposed ducts .extending therethrough and grouped to form .a continuous pilot-light, a valvecontrolled feed-pipe for the torch-head, the valve being provided with ahy-pass for supplying ya restricted flow of gas to said` torch-head, whereby the pilot-light is supplied, a spider-secured ,to the torch-head, anda .c lindrical hood` detachably fitted to the spi er, .the hood being provided with firing portsin radial alinement with the tip ducts, but upon a higher plane than the latter.

3. A flash igniter comprising a torch head having a crown tip provided with radially disposedducts grouped to supply a continuous pilot-light, a feed-pipe for the torch-head, a valve -V for the feed-pipe having a by-pass for supplying a constant flow of gas .to the torch tip, whereby the pilotlight is maintained, and a cylindrical hood removably supported about the torch-head and concentric therewith, the hood being provided with a circular dome, the Walls of which together with the side walls of said hood being approximately equal distances from the torch-tip and having a series of firing ports in radial alinement with the tip apertures, the said firing ports being upon a higher horizontal plane than the et. A ash igniter comprising a torchhead, a crown tip therefor provided with a series of radially' disposed ducts closely grouped to form a constant pilot-light, a feed-pipe for the torch-head, a valve-controlled means for increasing the supply of gas to the feed-pipe, a spider carried by the torch-head, and a circular domed cylindrical hood supported about said torch-head, the hood being provided with firing ports in radial alinement with the tip ducts but upon a higher plane than the latter.

5. A flash igniter comprising a torchhead, a crowned tip therefor provided with obliquely and radially disposed gas ducts isc about the torch-head having firing ports alined with the tipapertures upon a higher plane than the latter, the cylindrical wall and circular dome of 'the hood being positioned approximately equal distances from` the torch-head tip.

7. A flash igniter comprising a torchhead, means for supplying a continuous flow of gas thereto, a crown tip for the torchhead having radial duets grouped closely about the crown portion of said tip to supply streams of gas that commingle to form a single pilot light centrally disposed relative to the tip, and means `pior increasing the supply ,of gas to the torch-head ducts whereby the single pilot light is divided into-indi- .vidual projected burner igniter iiames, and ahood supported about the torch-head having iiringports in alinem'ent with the tip ducts.

8. A flash igniter vcomprising a torchhead having af tip provided with radial apertures grouped to form a sin le pilotlight,` means Yfor supplying gas to t e torchhead tip in varying quantities, a circular spider secured to the torch-head having a downturned iiange rovided'with lug-extensions, and a cylin rical hood having edge recesses adapted to engage the spider-lugs,

the hood being provided with firingY ports radially alined :with the tip apertures.

9. A Hash"Av igniterl comprising a torchhead having a tip provided with radial .apertures grouped to :form a single pilotlight,- means for. supplying gas to thev tor-elifhead tip in varying quantities, a circular spider-.secured tothe torch-head having a down-'turned flange provided with lug-extensions, a cylindrical hood havingedge recesses adapted to engage the spider-lugs, the hood being provided with ring ports radially al-ined with the tip apertures, and

a series of vent apertures above the firing i radially disposed gas-supply ducts that communicate with the cavity.

11. In a gas stove having a header in communication with a series of cock-controlled burners, and a flash igniter therefor having a valve-controlled feed-pipe in communication with the header; the combination of a 4universal bar in connection with the feedpipe valve, the har being extended horizontally of the bank of the burner cocks, and a series of tappets carried by said bar, each being juxtaposed to a burner-controlling cock. l

12; A Hash-igniter comp-rising a torchhead' having a crown tip provided With radial ducts grouped fto form a single pilotlight, a feed-pipe for the torch-head, a valve therefor having a by-pass for supplying a constant flow of gas to said torch-head to form a pilot-light, and a dome provided with firing ports in radial alinernent with the tip apertures.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee in the county of Milwaukee-and State of Wisconsin in the presence of two witnesses.

ARNOLD O. RUTZ.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. YOUNG, M. E. DowNEY. 

